If you’re looking to add some holiday magic to your breakfast table or gift-giving this season, I have just the thing. This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it’s insanely easy, incredibly flavorful, and captures the cozy essence of winter with cranberries and strawberries perfectly mingled together. Trust me, once you try this jam, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without making it yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Cooking: Pop everything into the crockpot and let it do the work — minimal stirring, maximum flavor.
- Perfect Holiday Flavor: Fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices make for a beautiful seasonal jam.
- Customizable Sweetness: Adjust sugars and add citrus zest for just the right balance every time.
- Great for Gifting: Homemade jam is always a crowd-pleaser your friends and family will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Combining fresh cranberries and strawberries gives this jam a beautiful tangy-sweet flavor profile. The spices add warmth that instantly reminds me of cozy winter mornings. Let me walk you through the key ingredients and why I choose them.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen works – these give the jam that bright tartness that’s so festive.
- Strawberries: Fresh or frozen ripe strawberries bring natural sweetness and soften the tart cranberries.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances out the tart fruits without overpowering them.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds richness and a touch of molasses flavor that deepens the jam.
- Ground Allspice: A warm, cozy spice that brings holiday vibes to every spoonful.
- Ground Cinnamon: Classic in sweet jams, it enhances the seasonal taste.
- Ground Ginger: Adds just a hint of zest and spice, elevating the whole mix.
- Orange Zest or Lemon Juice (Optional): I love adding a bit of citrus brightness to brighten the flavors even more.
Variations
I’m a big fan of tweaking this jam depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Feel free to play around with spices and sweetness to make it uniquely yours — that’s part of the fun!
- Less Sweet Version: I once cut back on brown sugar and added extra orange zest to keep it bright — still delicious and a little lighter.
- Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cloves or nutmeg can add complexity if you love spiced jams.
- Vegan & Natural Sweetener: Swap granulated sugar for maple syrup or coconut sugar for a natural twist.
- Fresh Citrus Kick: Sometimes I squeeze in fresh lemon juice at the end for an added zing that wakes up the flavors.
How to Make Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Step 1: Combine All the Goodness
Start by tossing your cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and all those warm spices right into your crockpot. I usually give everything a good stir to make sure the sugars are coating the fruit evenly. This step sets the stage for that rich jammy goodness.
Step 2: Slow Cook with Love
Pop the lid on and cook on high for about 4 hours. Here’s a little something I learned: stir the jam about halfway through cooking — this helps prevent any fruit from sticking to the sides or scorching. You’ll notice the cranberries will burst and the mixture will thicken beautifully.
Step 3: Blend for Perfect Texture
Once your crockpot jam is done cooking, it’s time to blend. I find using an immersion blender right in the pot is easiest — just pulse 2 to 3 times until you hit that lovely jam texture. Be careful not to over-blend; you want it chunky, not smooth like jelly. If you don’t have an immersion blender, use a countertop blender in batches, pulsing carefully.
Step 4: Jar It Up
Ladle the hot jam into clean jars, wipe the rims so they seal nicely, and screw on the lids just lightly — you want some air to escape as it cools. Let the jars cool to room temperature before popping them into the fridge overnight. This resting period really improves the flavor meld.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Choose Your Fruits Wisely: I prefer fresh cranberries and strawberries for best flavor, but frozen works perfectly if you can’t find fresh.
- Don’t Skip the Stir: Giving the jam a stir halfway through cooking stops the sugars from settling and burning on the pot’s edge.
- Pulse to Preserve Texture: Over-blending turns your jam into jelly; just a few pulses keep that perfect spreadable chunkiness.
- Cool Before Refrigerating: Let jars cool completely before refrigerating to avoid condensation and watery jam.
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
Garnishes
I love spooning this jam over warm toast or soft biscuits and then adding an extra sprinkle of fresh orange zest or a few whole cranberries on top — it makes for an inviting, festive breakfast. Sometimes a dollop of cream cheese or mascarpone underneath the jam just elevates it to dessert-level deliciousness.
Side Dishes
This jam pairs beautifully with rustic breads, buttery scones, or even alongside a holiday cheese board with some sharp cheddar or brie. It’s also fantastic as a filling for thumbprint cookies or swirled into yogurt for a seasonal twist.
Creative Ways to Present
When gifting this jam, I like to dress up mason jars with twine, a festive tag, and a little sprig of rosemary or pine needles for a holiday touch. For parties, spoon the jam into pretty bowls and serve with a spread of breads and cheeses for a colorful, edible centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in airtight jars or containers in the fridge — I’ve kept mine fresh for up to 3 weeks. Always use a clean spoon to dip in to keep it from developing off-flavors or mold.
Freezing
If you make a big batch, freezing is a lifesaver. I spoon jam into freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace for expansion. When you thaw, the texture stays lovely, and the flavors come right back to life.
Reheating
When I want to enjoy the jam warm, I reheat it gently on the stove or microwave just until warmed through — stirring every 15 seconds to keep it from scorching. Warm jam feels magical on cold mornings!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen fruit for the Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe?
Absolutely! Using frozen cranberries and strawberries works just fine and is super convenient if fresh isn’t available. Just be sure to thaw slightly or add additional cooking time if needed. The crockpot will easily soften the fruit to create a thick, flavorful jam.
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How long does this jam keep in the refrigerator?
When stored properly in airtight jars, this crockpot jam stays fresh for about 3 weeks in the fridge. Make sure to always use a clean spoon to prevent contamination and mold growth.
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Do I need to add pectin?
No pectin is necessary for this recipe. The natural pectin in cranberries combined with the slow cooking and sugars gives the jam a perfect thick consistency without any added thickener.
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Can I customize the spices?
Definitely! Feel free to adjust the spices to your taste — adding nutmeg, cloves, or even a dash of vanilla extract can make your jam uniquely yours and enhance the festive flavor.
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Is this jam suitable for gifting?
Yes! This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe makes a charming handmade gift. Just jar it up in pretty sterilized jars, add a festive label, and it’s ready to spread holiday cheer.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe truly became one of my holiday staples because it’s so simple yet packed with flavor that feels like a warm hug. I love sharing it with friends and family, knowing it’s homemade with love and care. I hope you give it a try this season — there’s just something magical about stirring holiday spices with fresh fruit in a crockpot that fills your kitchen with joy. Once you make this jam, you’ll find countless ways to enjoy it, both on your table and as thoughtful gifts. Happy cooking, friend!
Print
Festive Cranberry Strawberry Crockpot Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups of jam
- Category: Condiments
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This festive Christmas Jam Crockpot Recipe combines fresh cranberries and strawberries with warm spices, slow-cooked to a perfect jam consistency. Using a crockpot makes this recipe incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal hands-on time while delivering a rich, flavorful jam ideal for holiday breakfasts and gifts.
Ingredients
Fruits
- 1 ½ pounds cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ pounds strawberries, fresh or frozen
Sweeteners
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
Spices
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Optional
- Zest of one orange or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Add cranberries, strawberries, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and all spices into the crockpot. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly, ensuring the sugars and spices are well-distributed among the fruit.
- Cook the mixture: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on high heat for four hours. Stir the mixture once halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and to promote even cooking.
- Blend to desired texture: After cooking, use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot or transfer the mixture in batches to a countertop blender. Pulse only two to three times to achieve a jam-like texture, preserving some fruit chunkiness.
- Jar the jam: Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized clean jars. Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any residue and secure the lids lightly.
- Cool and store: Let the jars cool at room temperature completely. Once cooled, refrigerate the jam overnight before using to allow the flavors to meld and the jam to set properly.
Notes
- Using fresh or frozen fruit both works well; frozen fruit may require slightly longer cooking time.
- The optional orange zest or lemon juice adds a subtle citrus brightness to balance the sweetness.
- Pulse blending lightly helps maintain a chunky, rustic jam texture.
- Store the jam in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 weeks for best freshness.
- Ensure jars are sterilized to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
